This past month, we saw the conclusion of the 2021 VALORANT Champions Tour. Designed to lift competitive VALORANT in its first year of competition, we have a lot to discuss. Accordingly, in this episode of State of the Community, we’ll be reviewing the first year of VALORANT!
Designed For Esports Since June 2020
Indeed, it’s crazy to think that VALORANT has only been out since June of last year. Ever since day one, Riot Games has designed to title to rise as a competitive esport. Bearing this in mind, it was essential that the first year was successful, to lay the framework for the future years.
Accordingly, let’s take a look at how the season was designed, by looking at some of the events which made the year special.
VCT 2021 NA Stage 1 Masters
- Peak Viewers – 363,513
- Average Viewers – 147,445
- Online
- Prize pool: $150,000
Indeed, with each event, the prize pool and excitement levels built up.
That all started with NA Stage 1 Masters. Following the first regional competitions, we’d see our very first regional events to see who’s on top. It’s here that Sentinels began their run as the top team in the world.
Accordingly, this first event saw $150,000 on the line for multiple regions, with the most viewed one being that of North America. It’s here that a strong peak viewership was observed, especially for a starting event.
VCT Stage 2 Masters Reykjavik – First Year of VALORANT
- Peak Viewers – 1,085,850
- Average Viewers – 488,364
- Offline
- Prize pool: $600,000
The next step for the competitive esport – a unifying international offline event.
Accordingly, VCT Stage 2 Masters Reykjavik was a massive step for competitive VALORANT. Bringing the entire community together, the offline event threw $600,000 on the line. Furthermore, an epic peak viewership of 1,000,000 pushed the event through the ceiling.
VCT Stage 3 Masters Berlin
- Peak Viewers – 811,370
- Average Viewers – 389,971
- Offline
- Prize pool: $700,000
With all the momentum in the world, the time period between Stage 2 and Stage 3 saw a massive growth spurt in the scene. Indeed, Riot Games saw it fit to increase the prize pool further, while building up into further regions.
Now with $700,000 on the line, things got spicy on an international level. As regions went at it. the dominance of the EMEA region over NA shone through, with Gambit Esports taking it home over Sentinels.
VALORANT Champions 2021 – A Massive Event – First Year of VALORANT
- Peak Viewers – 1,089,068
- Average Viewers – 469,083
- Offline
- Prize pool: $1,000,000
Such a storlyline would carry onto the largest event of the year.
As the first Major ever in the history of competitive VALORANT, the buildup for this event was insane. In-game and in-person, Riot Games generated a huge amount of content and anticipation for the largest event of the year. Also, the strategy of co-streaming helped hugely.
With all these expectations, VALORANT Champions 2021 ended the Tour in style. Indeed, we witnessed some of the best competition all year, with the entire community absolutely loving the underdog story of KRU Esports – a LATAM team reaching the semifinals against all odds.
Crowning a surprise World Champions in Acend, Champions was insane.
Of course, apart from the mainstream series of events, Game Changes was also taking place as one of the most successful investments in female esports in the entire industry.
Overall, VALORANT has surpassed all expectations as Riot Games has done it all over again. We’re on the edge of our seat for 2022.
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